The committee received 55 requests from town departments valued at $7.8 million.

Sawicki gave a detailed explanation of the committee’s ranking process in their review of projects valued at $10,000 or more.

The committee’s top priority items for fiscal 2018 included $100,000 to repair the entry to the Ezra Baker School. The project had not been funded the last three years, so was bumped to the top of the list because, Sawicki said, “We feel it is a safety issue. It must be approved.” The money for the project would come from the free cash account, which totals $837,195.

Additional security cameras at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School also were given priority. Other items on the committee’s list include secondary roads, sidewalks, a replacement guardrail at Sesuit Harbor, and Nauset Road land purchase.

A $125,000 aquaculture project on Swan River, not on the committee’s recommendations but on the administration’s list, drew the most discussion. Selectman Wayne Bergeron, who supported the project, asked who had presented the information to the committee.

Sawicki said a person from the Board of Health presented the proposal, but the committee thought it didn’t have enough information to make a decision. Selectwoman Sheryl McMahon, who was at that meeting, agreed that there was not enough information.

Interim Town Administrator Elizabeth Sullivan added that the aquaculture project was not on the town’s five-year capital plan and could be a one-time project or be an article at the Town Meeting. The town also applied for a grant for the project, which it didn’t get.

The money for the capital projects comes from several special funds, including beach improvement, solar stabilization, golf improvement, waterways and dredge fund, ambulance fund, free cash and a tax levy on meals.

Sawicki said the committee believes the present tax rate can be maintained with its recommendations. The selectmen later voted to accept the report without accepting all the recommendations.